Barrel conditioning machine



Aug. 4, 1936. F, w. PlcHE 2,050,119

BARREL CONDITIONING MACHINE Filed Oct. 24, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 if! E. l INVENTOR fFPfiA/K' k/f FZ'CHE.

BYW

ATTORNEY Aug. 4, 1936.

F. W. PICHE BARREL CONDITIONINQ MACHINE Filed Oct. 24, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 llill INVENTOR -EHNK N EZEHE ATTORN EY Aug. 4, 1936. F. w. PlcHE 2,050,119

BARREL CONDITIONING MACHINE Filed Oct. 24, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 T i 7 C 55 i INVENTOR EE HNK iv. EZEHE.

' BY fi ii ATTORNEY Aug. 4, 1936. I w p c E 2,050,119

BARREL CONDITIONING MACHINE Filed Oct. 24, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR JTFHNK N FJEHE.

5-51; ALMA ATTQRN EY 'Aug.4,1936. M E 2,050,119

BARREL CONDITIONING MACHINE Filed Oct. 24-, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Si; INVENTOR 4 FEHNK N EZ'E'HE- f4 5: .25 BY ATTORN EY Patented Aug. 4, 1936 UNiT STAT ()FFICE 16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in barrel conditioning machines, and aims to provide a machine by which all the interior surfaces of barrels or the like may be speedily, uniformly, and thoroughly conditioned. Some of the operaticns for which the machine is intended are: The application of pitch uniformly over the entire inner surface of barrels; and the removal of old pitch or rust from the whole of the inner surfaces of barrels with the aid of a solvent, or an abrasive, or both.

It is an object of the invention to provide a barrel conditioning machine whereby a plurality of barrels may be simultaneously tumbled and r tated about their own axes; and wherein means are provided for selectively halting or starting the movement of any one barrel.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a barrel conditioning machine having a turntable with radially disposed rotatable barrel supporting yckes thereon; wherein a central drive shaft is employed for turning all the yokes; and wherein the rotary resistance of the yokes to the drive shaft rotation tends to turn the turntable and its yokes about the drive shaft axis.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a barrel conditioning machine wherein the turntable is normally held against rotation by the brake mechanism which may be released to permit rotation of the table and the yokes mounted thereon so that each yoke in turn may be positioned opposite the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a barrel conditioning machine wherein the yckes and their barrel supporting and driving rollers are so arranged that when any yoke is stationary the barrel supported thereby may be easily turned by hand either about its own axis or end ever end, or both.

Other objects of the invention are to provide such a barrel conditioning machine: wherein the yokes are provided with means for preventing axial movement of the barrels during their tumbling movement; and wherein the driving and supporting rollers are so constructed and arranged that they compensate for irregularities in the barrel peripheries and insure rotation of the barrels.

Having thus briefly and broadly stated some of the major objects and advantages of the invention, I will now proceed to describe a preferred embodiment thereof with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of the invention, and

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional detail showing the drive for one of the yokes.

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail showing one side of one drive roller.

Figure 6 shows one face of a bevel gear with which the drive roller cooperates, and

Figure '7 is a section on the line l'! of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is an enlarged section on the line 88 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a front view of a yoke with a barrel mounted therein.

Figures 10 and 11 show a side View and a plan respectively of a modified form of yoke clamping mechanism, and

Figure 12 is a section on the line lZ-IZ of Figure 11.

Figures 13 and 14 are front and side views respectively of the brake mechanism, and

Figure 15 is a section on the line |5--l5 of Figure 13.

Referring to the drawings, I designates a bed having an annular turntable 2 rotatably mounted upon its upper face. In order to retain the turntable upon the bed and prevent it from lifting during the operation of the machine an annular recess 3 is formed around the periphery of the bed to receive inwardly projecting guides 4 secured to the underside of the turntable adjacent itsperiphery.

Upon the turntable 2, and usually formed integral therewith are a plurality of radially disposed inner and outer bearings 5 and 6 arranged in aligned pairs. 2a denotes an annular flange connecting the inner bearings 5 and extending above the latter. Upon this flange a cover 56 is secured. Mounted centrally within the bed I is a vertical drive shaft l the upper extremity of which terminates within the turntable 2. The drive shaft is suitably driven, in the present instance from a motor 8 and through a gear reduction drive 9. iii denotes a ring gear fixed upon the upper extremity of the shaft 1.

Spaced substantially centrally between each pair of inner bearings 5 and formed integral with the cover 5E3 are a plurality of sockets 5|; and formed integral with the turntable 2 are a plurality of upstanding bosses 52, one adjacent each outer bearing 6 though laterally disposed to the said bearings.

Since there are a plurality of exactly similar units mounted around the machine all of which are rotatable with the turntable 2, I will now confine myself to the description of one unit.

Rotatably supported in the inner bearing 5 is a stub shaft l I on the inner extremity of which a bevel pinion I2 is secured which meshes with the ring gear l0. Fixed on the outer extremity of the stub shaft is a clutch plate l3. The outer portion at least of the stub shaft H is hollow to receive the pilot end of a spindle 14 upon which a second clutch plate I5 is axially slidable to cooperate with the clutch plate l3. The spindle I4 is supported in the outer bearing 6 and fixed around its outer extremity is a boss [6 integral with a yoke ll. Secured to the outer face of the bearing 5 concentric with the spindle i4 is a spur gear l8.

Rotatably supported by the yoke ll, parallel with the spindle I4, is a shaft l9 having a spur pinion 29 fixed upon one extremity to mesh with the fixed spur gear l8. Thus rotation of the yoke ll turns the shaft l9. Fixed upon the other extremity of the shaft I9 is a bevel pinion 2i. Transversely of the yoke I! a cross shaft 22 is mounted having two drive rollers 23 and 23a fixed upon its extremities. Freely rotatable upon the cross shaft 22 adjacent the drive roller 23 is a bevel gear 24 which meshes with the pinion 2|. Formed in the face of the gear 24 adjacent the roller 23 are a plurality of inclined radial slots 25 which are adapted to be engaged by balls 25 arranged against springs 26a. Both the balls and the springs are positioned in apertures formed in the hub of the drive roller 23. Thus when the gear 24 is turned in one direction only rotation of the roller 23 and its cross shaft 22 results. Moreover this construction permits rotation of the rollers 23 and 23a and the shaft 22 in the other direction independently of the gear 24.

Adjacent the lower outwardly projecting extremities of the yoke I1 idler rollers 27 are provided, and pivoted on the upper forwardly projecting extremities of the said yoke is a yoke extension 28 which carries other idler rollers 29. One roller 21 and one roller 29 track with each roller 23 and 23a. Moreover all these rollers are preferably provided with resilient tires.

The yoke ll consists preferably of two similar and parallel portions Ila made integral by the boss l6 and by a connecting member 39 adjacent its lower front extremity. Transversely slidable through both yoke members Ila are two retaining rods 3| each of which has one upwardly flexed extremity 3la to engage one end of a barrel A supported upon the idler rollers 21. In order to permit axial setting of the rods 3| set screws 32 are provided in the yoke members so that provision is made for engaging both extremities of barrels of varying length which might otherwise move axially during the tumbling movement hereinbefore described.

In the preferred form on construction downwardly and outwardly inclined lugs 33 are formed integral with the lower front extremities of the yoke portions Ila. Formed in the lower faces of these lugs are opposed transverse recesses 34. Pivoted upon the yoke extension 28 outwardly beyond the idler rollers 29 is a locking member 35 having opposed transverse recesses 36 formed across opposite sides of its face which is normal- 1y uppermost. The locking member 35 is held down towards the lower front extremity of the yoke I! by a clamping mechanism. The latter consists of a U-shaped element 38 threaded at its extremities to receive nuts 39. 40 denotes a cross bar enlarged at its ends and apertured at each extremity for the passage of one end of the element 38. The spacing of the cross bar 49 from the central portion of the U-shaped element 38 is regulated by adjustment of the nuts 39 one of which bears against each side of the cross bar adjacent each extremity thereof. Handles 38a, of suitable design, are preferably provided on the outer extremities of the member 38.

In threaded engagement with the front extremities of the yoke extension 28 are screws 4| which extend upwardly through slots formed in the locking member 35. Between the latter and the extensions 28 coil springs 42 are arranged around the said screws. Thus when the locking member 35 is held relative to the yoke I? by the clamp mechanism 3? limited upward movement of the yoke extension 25 and its rollers 29 is permitted, and occurs against the tension of the springs 42, to compensate for irregularities in the periphery of the barrel A as the latter is rotated by the drive rollers 23 and 23a.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12, the clamping mechanism for holding the rollers 29a against the periphery of the barrel A is as follows: The yoke extension 28a, which supports the rollers 29a rotatably, is again pivoted on the yoke H, and has an integral segmental cross member 43 having an inclined face thereon which is engaged by a correspondingly inclined segmental pad 45 integral with the outer extremity of an arm 45 pivotally mounted upon a cross member 47 carried by the yoke ll. 48 denotes serrations formed upon the contacting surfaces of the member 43 and pad 45. 2-9 is a handle by which the arm 45 and its pad 45 are turned about their pivotal mounting. When this form of clamping mechanism is employed the resiliency of the roller tires alone is relied upon to compensate for irregularities in the circumference of the barrel.

Secured to one socket 5i and extending radially therefrom is a capstan tube 53 which is intermediately supported by a bearing 44 mounted on the turntable 2. Within the capstan tube 53 adjacent its inner extremity a plunger 54 is slidably mounted. Secured to the plunger 54 and projecting through an elongated slot formed in the underside of the tube 53 is a connecting member 55. Pivoted upon the adjacent turntable boss 52 is a clutch yoke 56 which engages the clutch plate l5 and moves the latter axially. Integral with the clutch yoke 56 is an arm 57 to which the connecting member is pivotally secured so that inward movement of the plunger 54 moves the clutch plate IE to released position. Secured intermediately of the length of the capstan tube 53 within the latter are spaced guide washers 58 which support an operating rod 59 intermediately of its length. This rod is secured to the plunger 54 and may extend beyond the outer extremity of the tube 54 where it terminates in a laterally flexed extremity 59a. Between the inner washer 58 and the plunger 54 a helical spring 60 is provided which tends to retain the said plunger in its inward position and thus retain the clutch in its released position. The outer extremity of the tube 53 is recessed at St to receive the fiexcd extremity 59a of the rod 59 when the clutch is released. To engage the clutch the rod 59 is pulled outwards and then turned so that its flexed extremity 59a, which also functions as a handle, bears against an unrecessed portion of the outer face of the capstan tube 53.

The lower portion of the turntable periphery is outwardly stepped to support the lower edge face of a brake band 62 to the inner face of which a brake lining 63 is secured. One extremity of the brake band is held immovable by a support 64 which extends upwardly from the bed I, and a vertical slot 65 is provided through the other extremity of the said band. which is of increased thickness. Suitably mounted upon or adjacent the base of the bed I is a bearing St, and outwardly from the machine a second bearing 61 is arranged in alignment with the bearing 66. Rotatably supported by these hearings is a shaft 68 upon the inner extremity of which an arm 69 is secured. Pivoted upon the bed I intermediately of its length is a member 1a the upper extremity of which extends through the brake band slot 65; and pivotally connected to'the lower extremity of the member Ill is a link 'II which is also pivoted to the arm 69. The free slotted end of the brake band 62 is normally forced towards the adjacent fixed extremity of the latter by a coil spring 12 which is connected at one extremity to the lower end of the member ID and at its other extremity to the bed I. Thus the turntable 2 is normally held against rotation upon the bed I by the brake band 62. Fastened on the outer extremity of the shaft 68 is an operating lever I3 by movement of which the free end of the brake band is moved away from its adjacent fixed extremity against the tension of the spring I2, thereby releasing the brake band and permitting rotation of the table 2 upon the base I.

The operation of each of the units is briefly as follows: A yoke extension 28, or 2611, is moved pivotally upwards and inwards and a barrel A is placed upon the idler rollers 21 and against the drive rollers 23 and 23a. The extension 28, or 28a, is then lowered so that the rollers 29, or 29a, also bear against the barrel circumference. These latter rollers are then held in position against the barrel periphery by the locking member 35 and clamp mechanism 31, or by the cooperating segmental pads 44 and 45. The clutch operating rod 59 is pulled outwards and turned so that its flexed outer extremity 59a bears against an unrecessed portion of the outer face of the capstan tube 53. This movement of the rod 59 causes the clutch part I to engage the corresponding clutch part I3 so that the spindle I4 is driven by the stub shaft II. The yoke I1 is then rotated about the axis of the spindle I4 and the barrel A is tumbled.

Rotation of the yoke lI causes the pinion 29 to travel around the fixed gear I8 thereby turning the shaft I9 and its bevel pinion 2!. The latter of course turns the bevel gear 24 upon the cross shaft 22. As previously explained rotation of the gear 24 in one direction imparts rotary movement to the drive rollers 23 and 23a and the latter cause the barrel A to revolve about its axis.

When the clutch portion I5 is disengaged from the clutch portion I3 by turning the extremity 59a of the operating rod 59 so that the spring 68 may retract the said extremity into the capstan tube recess 6 I, the yoke Il may be freely turned by hand about the axis of the spindle M, thereby tumbling the barrel A. Then also the barrel A may be turned about its own axis in one direction as the drive rollers 23 and 23a and their shaft 22 may rotate without the gear 24 due to the driving mechanism including the spring pressed balls 28 hereinbefore described.

In practice it is essential that the barrels A may be readily turned by hand-either about poured from the treated barrels.

their own axes or end over end. During some of the conditioning processes for which the maand before the machine commences to operate;

and prior to their removal from the machine the bungs B are removed from the bungholes C and the solvent is drained. To do this it is necessary to be able to turn the barrels so that their bungs C are at the top for filling and removal, and at the bottom for draining the barrels. A receiving trough D may be mounted opposite the operators position to receive the solvent ash; is It will also be noted that during these operations it is practically essential that the barrels be horizontal, in which position it is also easier to load them into or. remove them from the machine.

Due to the fact that a strong acid solvent is generally employed for removing rust the bungs B employed during the process are made hollow as shown in Figure 2 to permit escape of gases which would otherwise cause pressure within the barrels and expel the bungs. Again the length of the bungs B is such that they reach substantially to the centres of the barrels to prevent loss of the solvent through the hollow bung as only a relatively small amount of the solvent is employed.

When a plurality of barrels A are mounted in the machine and the yokes I I are rotating the resistance of the stub shafts I! and the spindles M which must be overcome by the ring gear I8 tends to cause the turntable 2 to revolve about the axis of the drive shaft 1. This tendency necessitates the use of the brake mechanism hereinbefore described. When the brake lever I3 is moved against the tension of the spring I2 the grip of the brake band 62 upon the turntable 2 is relaxed and as a result the turntable turns:

about the axis of the drive shaft I. When the turntable rotates the speed of rotation of the yokes I! about the axes of and with the spindles I4, and consequently the speed of rotation of the drive rollers 23 and 23a, decreases. In practice the operator remains at one position adjacent the brake lever I3 and in front of the trough D. He permits the turntable to rotate intermittently, and as each treated barrel comes opposite to him he stops that yoke, removes the conditionedbarrel, and inserts a fresh one in its stead.

While in the foregoing the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and shown, it is understood that the construction is susceptible to such alterations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I'claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a bed, a spindle rotatably mounted thereupon, means for rotating the spindle, a yoke fixed on one extremity of the spindle" 7 the yoke against which portions of the periphery of the barrel bear, means rotating the drive rollers when the spindle is turned in one direction and permitting the drive rollers to be turned independently of the spindle in the opposite direction, and means carried by the yoke for retaining the barrel against the drive rollers.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a bed, a spindle rotatably mounted thereon, a yoke fixed on one extremity of the spindle, drive rollers mounted upon the yoke against which a barrel is adapted to bear, means turning the drive rollers when the yoke is turned, idler rollers carried by the yoke, and means forcing the idler rollers against the barrel periphery to retain said barrel in contact with the drive rollers.

4. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a bed, a spindle rotatably mounted thereupon, a yoke fixed upon one extremity of the spindle, a stationary gear around the spindle adjacent the yoke, a shaft mounted on the yoke, drive rollers on said shaft, against which a barrel is adapted to bear, means 00- operating with the stationary gear turning the rollers when the yoke is turned, idler rollers carried by the yoke, and means retaining the idler rollers against the barrel so that the latter is retained in contact with the drive rollers.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a yoke, means for turning the yoke, drive rollers on said yoke rotatable about an axis at right angles to the yoke axis, means turning the drive rollers when the yoke is turned, idler rollers on said yoke having their axes parallel with the drive roller axes, a yoke extension upon said yoke, other idler rollers carried by the extension and having their axes parallel with the drive rollers, and a clamping mechanism controlling the spacing between the two sets of idler rollers.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a yoke, means for rotating the yoke, drive rollers on the yoke against which a barrel is adapted to bear, means rotating the drive rollers when the yoke is turned, means carried by the yoke holding the barrel against the drive rollers so that said barrel is turned about its axis by the rotation of the drive rollers, and means on the yoke preventing axial movement of the barrel as the yoke is rotated.

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a bed, a spindle rotatably supported thereover, a yoke on one extremity of said spindle, a cross shaft on said yoke, drive rollers on the cross shaft against which a barrel is adapted to bear, a stationary gear around the spindle, means coacting with the stationary gear rotating the drive rollers when the spindle is turned in one direction, said means permitting the rollers and cross shaft to rotate independently in the other direction, and means carried by the yoke retaining the barrel against the drive rollers.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a bed, a central drive shaft, a turntable rotatably mounted on the bed, a plurality of radially mounted spindles on the turntable, means for turning all the spindles from the central drive shaft, a yoke mounted on the outer extremity of each spindle for rotation therewith and adapted to support a barrel, drive rollers on the yokes, means rotating the drive rollers when the yokes are turned, means car ried by the yokes holding the barrels against the rollers so that the barrels are turned about their axes by the roller rotation, the resistance of the yokes to rotation about the spindle axes tending to turn the turntable about the drive shaft axis, and a brake mechanism for holding the turntable immovable.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a bed, a central drive shaft, a turntable rotatably mounted on the bed about the drive shaft axis, a plurality of radially mounted spindles on the turntable, means for turning all the spindles from the drive shaft, a yoke mounted on the outer extremity of each spindle for rotation therewith and adapted to support a barrel, drive rollers on the yokes, means rotating the drive rollers when the yokes are turned, and means carried by the yokes holding the barrels against the drive rollers so that the barrels are turned about their axes by the roller rotation, the resistance of the yokes and spindles to rotation being adapted to turn the turntable about the drive shaft axis.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a bed, a drive shaft supported thereby, a turntable rotatably mounted on the bed about the drive shaft axis, a plurality of radially disposed yokes rotatably mounted around the turntable, means for rotating each yoke selectively from the drive shaft so that when a plurality of the yokes are rotated their resistance to rotation tends to turn the turntable about the drive shaft axis, drive rollers on the yokes, means rotating the drive rollers when the yokes are turned, means carried by each yoke holding a barrel against the rollers thereon so that the barrel is turned about its axis by rotation of the rollers, and a brake mechanism cooperating with the turntable for holding the latter immovable.

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a bed, a drive shaft mounted centrally of the bed, a turntable rotatably mounted on the bed about the drive shaft axis, a plurality of radially disposed yokes rotatably mounted around the turntable, means for rotating each yoke separately and selectively from the drive shaft so that when a plurality of yokes are revolved their resistance to rotation is adapted to rotate the turntable about the drive shaft axis, drive rollers on the yokes, means rotating the drive rollers when the yokes are turned, and means carried by each yoke holding a barrel against the rollers thereon so that the barrel is turned about its axis by the roller rotation.

12. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a bed, a drive shaft mounted centrally thereof, a turntable rotatably supported on the bed about the drive shaft axis, a plurality of radially disposed yokes rotatably mounted upon the turntable, separate means for turning each yoke selectively from the drive shaft so that when a plurality of yokes are revolved their resistance to rotation is adapted to rotate the turntable about the drive shaft axis, a brake band around the turntable having one extremity anchored to the bed, means tending to draw the other extremity of the band tight around the turntable, means for relaxing the pull on the other extremity of the band to permit the turntable to revolve, drive rollers on the yokes, means rotating the drive rollers when the yokes are turned, and means carried by each yoke holding a barrel against the rollers thereon so that the barrel is turned about its axis by the roller rotation.

13. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a bed, a plurality of radially disposed spindles mounted thereon, a central drive shaft for operating all the spindles, a yoke on the outer extremity of each spindle adapted to support a. barrel so that rotation of the spindle tumbles the barrel, drive rollers mounted on the yokes against which the barrels bear, means holding the barrels in contact with the rollers so that said barrels turn about their axes as the yokes rotate, and separate means for disconnecting each spindle from the central shaft so that each yoke and spindle may be freely turned by hand to bring the barrel to a desired position.

14. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a bed, a plurality of radially disposed spindles mounted thereon, a central drive shaft for operating all the spindles, a yoke on the outer extremity of each spindle adapted to support a barrel so that rotation of the spindle and yoke tumbles the barrel, drive rollers mounted on each yoke against which the periphery of the barrel in that yoke bears, means carried by each yoke holding the barrel therein in contact with the drive rollers, and means operated by the rotation of each spindle turning the drive rollers in its yoke in one direction, said means being so arranged that the drive rollers and the barrel may be freely turned by hand about their axes in the opposite direction.

15. A barrel conditioning machine comprising a bed, a spindle rotatably mounted thereover, a yoke on one extremity of the spindle, drive rollers in the yoke against which the periphery of a barrel is adapted to bear, means carried by the yoke holding the barrel against the rollers, the barrel being so positioned in the yoke that rotation of the spindle tumbles the barrel, and

cides with the axis of the turntable, a plurality of radially disposed spindles upon the turntable, means for turning all the spindles from the drive shaft, separate means for uncoupling each spindle from the drive shaft, a yoke fixed upon the outer extremity of each spindle, each yoke being adapted to support a barrel with its axis at right angles to the yoke axis, rollers on the yokes, means turning the rollers by the rotation of the spindles in one direction, said rollers bearing against the barrel peripheries and turning the barrels about their axes, said roller turning means disengaging the rollers and permitting their independent rotation in the other direction so that the barrels and rollers may be freely turned by hand about their axes, said yokes and spindles being freely rotatable by hand When the latter are uncoupled from the drive shaft, and means adapted to hold the turntable against rotation when a plurality of spindles and yokes are being turned by the drive shaft.

FRANK W. PICI-IE'I. 

